Huge win for car owners! All TSBs to be made public.
The Center for Auto Safety just made the NHTSA (US Government) make public the full text of all TSBs from now on. They are the same organization that has petitioned the NHTSA & filed lawsuits to protect car owners over exploding gas tanks & other major safety issues.
Whenever you drive in your car, you are safer thanks in part to a lot of work over the years by this small but very effective consumer advocacy group.

NHTSA — Steering Problems

CarComplaints.com Notes: Much like the 2007 model year, which has a higher number of complaints, owners are reporting that their engines are running out of oil awfully quick. As in, 1 quart every 1,200 miles. Toyota maintains that’s with the “normal” operating range of the 2AZ-FE while owners maintain that’s complete BS.

2008 Toyota Camry Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Camry

Camry

80,245 miles

I purchased a used/certified 2008 Toyota Camry in 2012. I had not noticed any problems with the car until about a month ago when I kept hearing a bumping sound coming from the the passenger rear tire, after having the tires air pressure checked the problem seemed to be gone. However, later the car began pulling to the left, whenever I drove on a side street, the pulling was not there on the freeway. Things changed on this past Sunday, on my way to take my grandchildren home from church the steering wheel was uncontrollable and the car pulled sharply to the left and I decided to pull off the street, I was afraid to continue driving because I didn't want to put my grandchildren in any further danger. I had to call my daughter to come pick us up. The car was taken to the repair shop to get a wheel alignment. I told them about the problem with the steering wheel they assured me that they would be able to take care of the problem. The problem with the steering is still there, why hasn't there been a recall for this problem. I am afraid to drive my car!

Camry

miles

I purchased my 2008 Toyota Camry SE on 8/18/2012. Several days after the purchase I noticed that the dashboard was excessively sticky and shiny, so much so that the glare on the windshield made it difficult to see through the windshield while driving. I then returned to the dealership to complain about the matter, but no one at the dealership had any answers and their only solution to remedy the problem was to suggest that I purchase a dashboard cover.

Camry 6-cyl

115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The dashboard of my Camry SE began to crystallize and became sticky to the touch. It is now so sticky that the least touch and nick pulls the vinyl right off. It is so shiny that it gives off a reflection while driving. It is very distracting when driving as it seems that something is in your eyes. The glare makes for a dangerous situation because your judgment is affected. This is a safety hazard and should be recalled by the dealer. I have several others with Camry having the same problem.

Camry 4-cyl

87,699 miles

In summer of 2013, power steering pump failed on 2008 Toyota Camry. Car was very difficult to steer, turn and park but had to be driven, though unsafe to drive, for 3 days while pump was ordered and replaced. In the week before the power steering pump failed, the engine was found to be burning oil and had to be rebuilt. During this same month (August, 2013), the gas cover could not be opened to refill the gas tank while out of town, requiring a temporary cable fix by an out-of-town dealer. In the summer of 2014, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) actuator failed, also causing loss of speedometer, temperature and tachometer functions. ABS actuator part was ordered and replaced. Then a week later, the brake booster failed (check engine light on multiple times), leaking when brake was depressed. These are just the major safety failures of this 2008 Toyota Camry, which has had other problems, purchased new in 2007 and maintained by the same dealer. This car is not safe or reliable to drive.

Camry 4-cyl

72,000 miles

The vehicle suddenly lost control and was not responding to the steering. It started swaying and hit the cement barrier on the left. This looks like a internal car failure. I have had this car for since 2008 and had bought it brand new. It is completely up to date with the maintenance and oil change etc.

Camry 4-cyl

119,442 miles

The warning lights went on and immediate the vehicle shut down while I was traveling a city street in san francisco, California (dewey blvd). Fortunately the street is fairly level and I wasn't on a hill. I loss power to the brake, steering and everything as everything was dead. I was able to coast to a curb putting all my effort to stop the car. I tried starting and moved about 10 feet before everything went dead again. I did not move it further I called for a tow (aaa) and the initial diagnosis was that the alternator was dead. The car was towed to a mechanic who also said that this alternator was dead and it was replaced. I told him where it happened and he said I was lucky that I wasn't on the freeway.

Camry 6-cyl

70,000 miles

When pulling into a gravel parking space at less than 5mph. Car suddenly accelerated full throttle, jumped a concrete parking stop, became partially airborne on the right side, coming down in a depression after 25 ft. Brake was fully depressed through event. Visual inspection and manual check after incident showed nothing impeding either gas pedal or brake. Mats firmly attached. We have photos of the acceleration tracks and the ditch where it landed. Damage to fascia, bumper, air dam. Alignment, possible tire damage. Est. $800 - $1200. Our complaint is car sat at dealer for 2 months deemed unsafe to drive. The outcome was that nothing was recorded on the black box and vehicle passed inspections on a lift. Therefore even though this was an unintended acceleration issue Toyota will do nothing. Recommendation from both consumer reports and edmunds is a brake override should be installed. When this was mentioned they said no the car doesn't need it. One of our complaints is Toyota motor sales U.S.a. took 2 months to resolve this. They didn't return phone calls or notify the dealer of any results. Dealer stated Toyota wouldn't let them work on the car and it was listed unsafe to drive. During this 2 months we had to rent a car out of pocket (insurance paid 2 weeks). Over $1000. Both my wife and I feel very lucky this incident didn't happen on a busy highway or next to a solid wall. If it had there was a good chance we could have been injured and the damage much worse. Dealing with both the dealer and Toyota U.S.a. was frustrating and pointless. We have picked up the car and are considering trading it in but are shocked to find in 2 years it has deprecated by $8000! this has been a complete nightmare and a monetary loss as well. To at least get the brake override would be some satisfaction. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Camry 6-cyl

65,000 miles

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that when driving at multiple speeds, the vehicle would shake. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who stated that the intermediate steering shaft would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The manufacture was alerted of this failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Camry

71,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Check vsc system warning and brake and other warning lights lighting up on dashboard. Difficulty braking with lurching forward when at a complete stop. Needed to pump on brakes several times to come to a complete stop, loss of braking ability.

Camry 4-cyl

60,000 miles

I have a 2008 Toyota Camry with a certified warranty. There is a clicking sound in the steering wheel when turning. I took it to Toyota and they said that it needed a grease kit for the steering shaft assembly and this would not be covered under my extended warranty. If they replaced the steering shaft, it would be covered. They also stated this could happen again and I may have to do a grease service again down the road. I took it to my local mechanic and asked them what they thought and they found that the 2007 had issues with the steering shaft assembly and the remedy was to replace the steering shaft with an updated part. They recommended replacement as it would occur again. I communicated with Toyota corporate and the local Toyota and their position was firm that they should not have to replace the steering shaft under warranty terms. They also stated that this should not cause any issues if I did not do the grease kit so I did not have them provide the service. Long story short, it sounds like my 2008 (which was manufactured in 2007) was assembled with the wrong steering shaft part but they have created a grease kit to avoid having to replace this under warranty. Is there any additional action I can take to have Toyota provide the appropriate remedy to this such as replace it with the more updated steering shaft? I appreciate your help and look forward to your response. Have a great day!

Camry

33,000 miles

I bought my 08 Camry in 2010 as a used but certified Toyota. I noticed right away that the car seemed out of alignment. I mentioned before we closed the deal and they told me not to worry they would re-align the vehicle at my convenience. Long story short, the dealer stood behind their word and re-aligned the vehicle several times. Nothing has fixed the problem! the car constantly pulls, usually to the left but even sometimes to the right. It's like the steering has a mind of its own. The dealer has chalked it up to "sensitive steering". I've put new tires and new brakes all the way around the vehicle and it has made no difference. If I'd known this steering problem was going to persist I would have never bought the vehicle.

Camry

58,000 miles

I have a 2008 Camry that has steering issues. The steering wheel is loose and hard to control with severe vibration at speeds of 35mph and up. I have made several trips to the Toyota dealer and told "nothing is wrong" with the car. I have had new brakes and rotors recently as well as new tires. I can not get help from anyone with the above issue. I do not feel safe driving this car let alone putting my kids in it, however I do not have a choice. Toyota needs to do the right thing and issue a recall on the 2008 Camry.

Camry 4-cyl

30,000 miles

While turning the Toyota steering wheel, I can notice a severe clicking or thumping sound from the steering wheel. It appears there is a problem with the suspension or the struts. I took my Toyota to get it check out a few months before the warranty expired. They indicated the struts were leaking. One strut was severely leaking so they replaced it. The other strut was also leaking but not as severe so it was not replaced. However, the steering column has the aforementioned noise and I know, through internet searches, that many owners have experienced this problem. It's likely a mass defect that should be looked at asap before someone is severely injured. My wife uses the car to take my children to school so I am very concerned about the safety of the vehicle.

Camry

miles

The power steering system of the 2008 Toyota Camry SE seems to be faulty. The car suddenly shook violently from left to right when my wife reached a speed of 45mph. Then the car drove into a ditch. When she pushed the brakes, the car turned over. The car was totaled, but none of the 6 airbags deployed.

Camry

7 miles

Driving on back road late at night-car suddenly veried to left hitting oncoming car-then going into ditch-could not control my car-was having problems prior-as car kept wanting to veer to right and acceletor seemed to stick from time to time-car was totaled and I suffered from injuries.I was one mile from my home when accident occured. I always felt like car had handling problems-but with toyda, S quality reputation did not think it was a manufacturing issue. I have a new toyda-still has tendancy to acciler ate from time to time unexpectedly-no accidents or close calls.

Camry

50,000 miles

11 days ago the marina Toyota dealership performed both Toyota recall repairs on my 2008 Camry. On March 10, around 0519 am, I was starting to park my car at the gym. I applied the brakes to slow into the parking stall. The moment that I applied the brakes; the engine started to race; the car lurched forward; the brakes were useless in stopping the vehicle; and I could not steer the vehicle. My vehicle slammed into a parked Jeep cheroke; the Jeep inturn collided with a parked Subaru outback. My vehicle was towed to the dealership and we are waiting for Toyota's technicians to examine the car. I am very thankful to god that no one was injured or killed in this incident. However, I firmly believe that my Camry is unsafe and I will never drive it again. I have written the vehicle off as a total loss. Since I am a jehova witness, I cannot sell the vehicle because then I would be blood-guilty if anyone was injured or killed by the vehicle. I am a electrical engineer with a masters degree in electronics and control systems. I have 32 years experience in systematically solving electrical problems (particularly intermittent electrical issues). In my case, given the simultaneous failure of multiple systems (engine RPM control, braking and steering), the cause is definitely electrical, not mechanical. My experience with computer controls strongly suggests that the key hardware involved is the on-board cpu. Therefore, in my professional engineering opinion, Toyota has not determined the root cause of the sudden acceleration problem.

Camry

57,000 miles

I bought a new 2008 Toyota Camry in Nov 2007, at around 50K miles I heard a grinding noise while driving and experienced vibration in the steering wheel. I brought it into the dealer and they noted the strut needed to be replaced. Not soon after that repair @ around 80K miles I experienced the same noise and vibration in the wheel again and I took it to a les schwab auto shop they linked the problem to the struts and wheel bearings which caused uneven tire wear. As the car was still under warranty I took it to the dealer again, they agreed with the assessment from les schwab and replaced the struts again and the wheel bearing. The dealer agreed that I should not be replacing the struts as often as I was on a relatively new vehicle. Dealer mentioned that it is a defect and Toyota (the corporation) is aware of it and that I should be getting a letter in the mail to that effect. To date ( 2/26/10) I have received no such letter. The concern is that NHTSA has not yet gotten to the bottom of all the defects that are out there with the Camry models for the years that are now being recalled for accelerator issues. With the recent recall I had to bring my Camry in to get the gas pedal shortened and to install the shimmy to prevent the sudden acceleration. Please look into the issue with the struts as the strut housing serves as a structural part of the suspension system and it connects the upper strut bearing to the lower ball joint so that the entire assembly can then pivot when the steering wheel is turned. Struts therefore affects the driver's ability to steer and maneuver the vehicle safely, I now see that the corolla are being recalled for steering issues, I am concerned that this is not limited to only that model as my Camry had issues with steering that was linked to defective struts. Struts should not wear out as often as mine did on a new car. For the safety of Toyota drivers investigate how many vehicles from 2007 to 2010 have had issues with struts.

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